US Army Stationing Decisions, FY 2008-2013

Base infrastructure contracts are a quietly substantial portion of defense spending in any country, including the USA. Which is why DID covers them on a semi-regular basis, and notes trends in key areas, even though this coverage are only a fraction of the contracts issued. A December 2007 announcement by the US Army has significant implications for base infrastructure projects at a number of locations, however, as the push to grow the US Army by 74,200 troops and 6 brigade combat teams (BCTs)/ 8 support brigades continues, and so does partial relocation of US troops deployed abroad. A June 2009 announcement cut the number of new BCTs in half to 3, and will affect construction and stationing on 3 important Army bases.

The following lists offer updated breakdowns of the associated relocations and new unit stand-ups, first by timeline, and second by location:

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FY 2008: Fort Carson, CO – retains 1 infantry BCT as the 43rd BCT

FY 2008: Germany – new BCT activated, giving time to build infrastructure at home

Note that a “Maneuver Enhancement Brigade” (MEB) is a tailored, combined arms force that includes a headquarters element, communications and logistics elements for the brigade, plus a mix of modular specialists designed to apply the right force for the mission. Typically, but not exclusively, the MEB is composed of engineer, military police, chemical, air defense, civil affairs, and other units that routinely function together during protection, stability, and support operations. Other types of units may also be assigned as necessary. For example, at Fort Lewis, the 555th includes a chemical decontamination battalion, a corps wheeled combat engineer battalion, and a combat heavy engineer battalion, as well as potentially some other units, to include an air defense artillery battalion. Read “A horse of a different color: the maneuver enhancement brigade” for more.

The BRAC 2005 base realignment decisions are serving as a foundation for many of these moves.

Updates and Events:

M109A2, Ft. Carson(click to view full)

June 2/09: The Secretary of the Army announces that in accordance with the President’s budget, the Army has halted the plan to build 3 additional brigade combat teams (BCTs) at Fort Bliss, TX; Fort Carson, CO; and Fort Stewart, GA, dropping the total number of BCTs from 48 to 45. This decision will not affect the Army’s authorized end strength of 547,400.

With this announced change, the total population at Fort Bliss, TX is projected to grow from 13,742 (2003) to 36,069 (2013); Fort Carson from 15,199 – 25,003; and Fort Stewart from 20,512 – 24,970. The Army will reach its target of 45 BCTs in fiscal 2010 with the activation of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, TX, though HQ stand-ups and relocations will continue beyond that date.

This announcement does not involve the restationing of the 2 heavy BCTs scheduled to return from Europe in FY 2012 – 2013. Those are being examined as part of the ongoing Quadrennial Defense Review, but it is clear that White Sands Missile Range, NM, will no longer receive a BCT from Europe in FY 2013 as originally planned. Pentagon release.

Dec 19/07: To support these 6 infantry brigade combat teams and 8 support brigades, the Army announces the stationing of approximately 30,000 Soldiers in combat support and combat service support units throughout the United States, as well as various overseas locations. The details are contained in a report directed by the Fiscal Year 2007 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations’ Act, requiring the Secretary of Defense to submit a stationing plan to support Army Growth. US Army release.